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Stevens Takes Stand, Denies Shady Deals

Alaska senator rebuffs charges he got free construction work

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 16, 2008 5:39 PM CDT
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(AP) – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens took the stand today in his own defense and denied scheming to hide $250,000 in home improvements and other gifts from a corrupt businessman. When asked by his lawyer whether he thought his Senate disclosure forms were accurate when he signed them, the Alaska political patriarch replied, "Yes, sir." He then responded with a soft "No, sir" when asked whether he had hidden any gifts.

Stevens, 84, was the final witness in his defense against charges that he lied on financial disclosure forms to conceal improvements to his chalet and other gifts from Bill Allen, a longtime friend and former chief of the oil services company VECO Corp. Stevens, told by the judge that he didn't have to testify, replied that it was a "privilege and a duty."

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Covich, arrive at federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Covich, arrive at federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is assisted by his attorney Brendan Sullivan to step out of the car upon his arrival at federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is assisted by his attorney Brendan Sullivan to step out of the car upon his arrival at federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Prosecutors Brenda Morris and Joseph Bottini, arrive at federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.
Prosecutors Brenda Morris and Joseph Bottini, arrive at federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, right, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Stevens Covich, leaves the federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, right, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Stevens Covich, leaves the federal court in Washington, Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, raises his hand as he leaves the federal court in Washington, Thursday Oct. 16, 2008., after testifying in his corruption trial.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, raises his hand as he leaves the federal court in Washington, Thursday Oct. 16, 2008., after testifying in his corruption trial.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska ,right, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Stevens Covich, leaves the federal court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska ,right, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Stevens Covich, leaves the federal court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Covich, arrives at federal court in Washington, Thursday Oct. 16, 2008.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and his daughters Beth Stevens, left, and Susan Covich, arrives at federal court in Washington, Thursday Oct. 16, 2008.   (Jose Luis Magana)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
Alaska • Ted Stevens • Bill Allen • Veco • corruption charges

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